His home studio is a minimalist's dream— lime-green walls comfort a sparse set-up in a side bedroom: an SM 57 microphone anchors the space, surrounded by a Roland SH-101 and SH-201, and what Rozen calls his "secret weapon," a Space Echo RE-101. He laughs as he describes "the deficiency of my programs, all 10 years old or older," like his Sonic Foundry ACID software, which he admits is "totally antiquated." While he added pieces like marimba, glockenspiel, and kalimba to the album, he had additional help from Sarah Boucher's flute, Eve Amendola's violin, and backing vocals by Chris North, Andy Gary, and Jon Misarski.

"With Jason's music, I just felt an immediate attachment," Castro says. "It's exciting to see how one idea from one person can expand once you introduce other people into it." Adds Rozen: "A lot of people who bring in contributors know what they want, but I had no idea."

And he had never intended on playing the songs in a live setting. Wednesday's gig will be the first — and likely the last — performance by the collective, and possibly Rozen as well. "I've never played a show in my life," he says. "I'm terrified. Seer Group for me was just about having fun. I thought maybe a few friends would hear it, and that would be it."

Arctic Monkeys escape the pitfalls of buzz Three for three with critically acclaimed #1 albums in their native UK. Top spots in countries around the world with each release. Early hype for their forthcoming Suck It and See (Domino). That's a pretty good track record.

Out: Speedy Ortiz come together The kickoff weekend of new local show bookers the Dreamhouse Collective was coming to a close a week ago last Monday night at Great Scott, but the walls of the Allston venue were still vibrating thanks to the grungy guitar reverb of Northamptom trio Speedy Ortiz.

NINE BOSTON ROCK SHOWS COMING THIS SPRING | March 01, 2013 Go nine songs deep into Gozu's new The Fury of a Patient Man — from the stoner chug of opener "Bald Bull" to the buzzing boogie of "Salty Thumb" to the upright guitar crunch of "Disco Related Injury" — and there's barely any room to breathe.